Game of Thrones Finale: What have we learned?

Season 6 drew to a end only a few days ago, and most fans are rallying this season the show’s best yet – which really is saying something, as GoT rarely disappoints. This season of Game of Thrones was quite interesting as the show had finally overtaken the books (written by George R. R. Martin) and much of the content of this season was new to both the show and the book readers for a change. Being a reader of the books even before the show come out this was both exciting and nerve wracking – as if there is only thing a fan of Game of Thrones knows is to never trust in the safety of any of the characters they love.

This season started with the huge need to know what happened to our beloved Jon Snow (Kit Harrington), who in the finale of Season 5 and the last book was brutally stabbed, seemingly to death, by his fellows of the Night Watch. Many didn’t believe he was actually dead, but with the George R. R. Martin’s track record for killing of characters it wasn’t entirely out of the question either.

Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) brought back to life in Season 6. Credit: yibada.com

However, much to many fans delight (mine included) Jon Snow, though he did die, was brought back to life by the Red Lady and her mysterious powers from her God. As soon as Jon is alive his story arc takes a huge frontline in the season once again and it’s not long until he is reunited (at last!) with another Stark, his half sister Sansa Stark (more on that later). From the Stark’s side it is now a battle with the terrifying Ramsay Bolton to get their home Winterfell back from his rule and take the North back into the rightful hands of the Stark’s. During this epic battle we sadly loose Rickon, the youngest Stark boy, who has a cruel and very brief glance at safety with Jon once more before he is killed by Ramsay mere meters from getting back to the Stark army.

The finale left us with a taster of what is to come next season now that the Stark’s are back at home in Winterfell, with Jon Snow being declared “King in the North” like Robb before him, and Sansa back at his side. However, like usual the writers left us with a huge reveal that Jon Snow is not actually Ned’s bastard, but the son of Lyanna Stark, Ned’s sister. This has long been a speculation of book fans and it is great to finally have this revealed at last, but it does leave the huge question of who Jon Snow’s father is. Unsurprisingly book fan’s also have a strong speculation on this too which can easily be found on the internet, but for the sake of spoilers I won’t mention it here.

Margery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) in Season 6. Credit: vox.com

However not everything took place up North in Winterfell. In King’s Landing Cersei made one of the biggest powerplays she has ever made and potentially challenged the Red Wedding in the amount of notable character’s she caused the deaths of in one bold move. Much like the “Mad King” before her, who earned Jaime the title of “King Slayer”, she torched the Sept in Wild Fire andsuccesfully took out all of her competition in one fell swoop. Margery and Loras Tyrell and the Sparrow being the largest casualties of this fire. However, what she hadn’t banked on is that even after taking the King Tommen away to safety, seeing his Queen go up in flames pushed him over the edge and he decided to leap from the Red Keep and die rather than remain with his mother any longer.

Sept of Baelor Wildlife Explosion, Season 6. Credit: screenrant.com

As if this activity wasn’t enough, Daenery’s has finally begun to travel back to Westeros. This is a huge progression in her storyline, one that has taken the entire 6 seasons to finally reach. She has nearly her entire army with her (some being left behind to keep order in Mereen) and most notably her very grown and powerful dragons. The many boats at her disposal is a true sight to be seen and with Cersei now sitting on the Iron Throne having succesfully remove all of her competition, Jon Snow being named King of the North, it makes you wonder how Westeros is going to face the next huge war for power that is inevitably going to take place in Season 7.

Daenery’s Fleet of ships going to Westeros. Credit: thewrap.com

However, a special mention also has to go to another Stark, who made it back to Westeros in time for the finale, just to show her exacting her revenge on Walder Frey for organising the famous Red Wedding. With the youngest remaining Stark now back in Westeros, and proving both deadly and on a mission, you can’t help but wonder what Arya has in store next season. Will she reunite with her family, or will she try to cause more havoc with her new found assassin skills?

All we know is that we can’t wait to find out and season 7 is too far away.

Game of Thrones

Season 6

Summary

What a season! One of the most enjoyable yet, and in true GoT style we say bye to many characters and story arcs (in a shocking and brutal way), while progressing the remaining characters on into dangerous and exciting arc's with their storylines. Like usual, it leaves you desperate for the next season.